KINGSTON, Jamaica; Thursday, August 27, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Founder and Co-Chair of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), will serve as Co-Chair of the highly anticipated World Economic Forum Tourism Day 2026, which will be observed on September 26.
The appointment recognizes Jamaica’s global leadership in tourism resilience, innovation, and sustainable development, and positions the GTRCMC, headquartered in Jamaica, as a key partner in shaping the future of international travel.
In accepting the role, Minister Bartlett said: "I am deeply honoured to Co-Chair the World Economic Forum Tourism Day 2026. Tourism is vital infrastructure — for economies, for cultures, and for resilience.”
He noted that: “As Co-Chair, I will advance three priorities: investing in people as Culture Champions to lead innovation; investing in data for real-time global risk intelligence; and investing in solidarity so that no destination faces a crisis alone.”
Minister Bartlett underscored that “Jamaica and the GTRCMC stand ready to work with the World Economic Forum and partners worldwide to build a more resilient, inclusive, and innovative tourism sector - for people and planet."
World Economic Forum Tourism Day convenes Heads of State, CEOs, and global tourism leaders in Geneva, Switzerland to set the agenda for the future of travel and hospitality.
Under Minister Bartlett’s leadership, the GTRCMC has become the world’s first centre dedicated to tourism resilience, training, research, and crisis response. The Centre has partnered with over 30 countries and institutions to build capacity and reduce vulnerability in the sector.
